The Chinese calendar, like other calendars, indicates cycles of time. In the Chinese calendar, there is also a cycle of 9 subsets of 20 years. Each Era is assigned a Trigram that historically is accurate for the energy indicative of that Era. Absolutely everything associated with time is cyclical, so the fact that these energetic patterns return shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Over the next few months, I’ll be providing information about Era/Period 9, which will commence on February 4, 2024. This will be a major energetic transition, and I’ll be addressing specifics about this energy, its effects, and notable differences.

The current/prevailing Period/Era 8 is ruled by a benevolent Mountain Earth energy (Ken/Gen Trigram) and is associated with the direction of Northeast. It is known for its benevolence and stability and is characterized by the energy of the young male, technology, and real estate. Era 9, which is ruled by Fire Energy (Li Trigram) and associated with the South direction, is characterized by the energy of the middle-aged female, spirituality, and elevated thinking. Notably, the most recent past 9 Era saw the peak of the Victorian Era.

As we move into Era 9, we will see a major shift of energy from profit/wealth to purpose; from controlling to empowering; from hierarchies to networks/communities. Since Fire energy is not as “stable” as the mountain energy of Earth, people are more likely to have multiple streams of income or there could be more movement in the job market. Fire is also a very joyful element…a celebratory element. Fire is expressed by summer and all the “summer” zodiac animals (Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep). Fire moves and explores, whereas Earth/Mountain is immovable and can be stubborn, even lacking in experience beyond its boundaries. Unless you’re on the top of the mountain, the viewpoint can be limiting. Fire, on the other hand, dances across the earth, consuming whatever is in its path. It seeks a higher calling as it is fueled by the energy that it consumes.

With the approaching Era change, 2023 is a transitional year and as such, what we do this year will lay the groundwork for the next Era. Period 9, which will last through the year 2043, will then transition to Era 1 in 2044. Those of us who are living in the prevailing era will not see it come around again but we can learn from historical documentation of the previous matching prevailing eras. Here are some highlights from the most recent past Period 9 (1844-1863):

• The British Empire becomes the first global industrial power

• Margaret Fuller’s Woman in the Nineteenth Century

• The Great Exhibition: the first of a series of World’s Fairs

• Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species

• The first underground railway (London)

• US feminists organize a convention on women’s rights in NY

• Smallpox vaccine

• Many other revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts & sciences

As we continue to explore this new energy, I will address the specifics of how Feng Shui will come into play as this energy transitions.